Thompson Announces New Requirements for Passport Applications

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn `GT’ Thompson, today announced that the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs has instituted new U.S. Birth Certificate Requirements for passport applications. The following information was provided by the U.S. Department of State.

Beginning today, April 1, 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs will require the full names of the applicant’s parent(s) to be listed on all certified birth certificates to be considered as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship for all passport applicants, regardless of age. Certified birth certificates missing this information will not be acceptable as evidence of citizenship. This will not affect applications already in-process that have been submitted or accepted before the effective date.

All United States birth certificates must meet all of the following criteria:

• Show the full name of the parent(s);
• Be issued by the office of vital statistics of the state, county, or city where the birth occurred;
• Show the full name of child;
• Indicate the date and place of birth;
• Bear the embossed, impressed, multi-colored, or raised seal and signature of the issuing authority;
• Indicate a registration or file date that is within one year of the birth; and
• Be an original and certified document (notarized copies and photocopies are not accepted)

United States birth certificates that do not meet these standards will not be acceptable as primary evidence of citizenship.

For general questions regarding the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs passport services, see the State Department's Frequently Requested Information Web page.

If you have any additional questions regarding these new requirements or need assistance with passport services, please contact Congressman Thompson’s Bellefonte office at 814-353-0215 or his Titusville office at 814-827-3985.